SVP of Operations Joanne Yohannan

Joanne Yohannan has been involved in animal welfare for over 30 years and heads rescue and adoption efforts at North Shore Animal League America. Because we are the world's largest no-kill pet rescue and adoption organization, Joanne and her rescue and adoption teams are continuously developing and implementing innovative rescue and adoption programs that help the Animal League save more lives.

Browse the latest Adoption and Rescue Q&As

Are there hypoallergenic dogs?

Q:

Hi. I love dogs, but am allergic. Are any of your dogs hypoallergenic?

A:

Many dogs are marketed as hypoallergenic but, there are no dogs that are completely free of allergen causing dander. Many people think that pet allergies are caused by dog or cat fur, but the source of the allergy is usually a protein that is found in the salvia of dogs and cats. When they lick themselves, the protein attaches to the dry skin or dander that can cause the allergic reaction. There are some non-shedding dogs that do not release allergy causing dander in the air or on inanimate objects. A good rule of thumb is that if the dog requires a haircut, it is not a shedder and there should be fewer allergic reactions. I do have a few suggestions to help you determine whether or not getting a dog is the right choice for you.

Make sure you check with your doctor before bringing a new dog home

Spend a couple of hours with the dog to gauge the reaction you have before you bring him or her home permanently

Consider dog sitting for a friend for a few days

Choose a smaller dog with hair, which will shed less of the allergy producing dander than a larger dog

Give the dog a bath monthly and use some of the commercial conditioning products that help to reduce the dander

Carpet-free floor is the easiest to clean, but if you have carpeting, vacuum and shampoo it regularly

Although we have a wide variety of breeds, you will almost always find a large selection of mixed-breed animals – pets we call Mutt-i-grees®. Our large selection of Mutt-i-grees® come in a great variety of sizes, shapes and colors, and our counselors will help you find your perfect match.

Since the Animal League does a large number of Puppy Mill Rescues, we often have a selection of purebred dogs too.

When you visit North Shore Animal League America’s adoption center, an Adoption Counselor will help you determine the type of animal that will best fit your lifestyle. They will introduce you to the animals you are interested in. The meet and greet will give you the opportunity to bond with your potential companion. You will have plenty of time to play and interact with your new friend in our family-friendly areas designated for that purpose. When you decide to adopt an animal, the counselor will walk you through the process and help you complete the application.

Every shelter has its own policies for approving adoptions. Our adoption screening process is designed to ensure that each animal is placed with a responsible person, one that's prepared to make a lifelong commitment. An important part of the adoption process is to match the life-style and needs of the adopter with the individual dog or cat being considered. If the screening process occasionally seems overly strict, please try to remember that our first priority is to consider every animal's best interests.

Why should someone rescue an animal rather than purchase one from a pet store?

A:

Rather than spending thousands of dollars at the local pet store, rescuing an animal from a shelter is much more rewarding since you are saving a life and also much less expensive. You can usually adopt a pet from your local shelter or rescue group for a modest adoption fee which will include vaccinations and spaying or neutering. Most shelters and rescue groups offer support services such as training and medical care for the adopted animal. On the other hand, most pet stores buy their animals from cruel puppy mills. When you buy an animal from a pet store, you are increasing the demand for the cruel supply of mill produced animals. Every animal adopted from a shelter whether it is a no-kill shelter or not, will help save a life.

Sadly, there are homeless animals all over the country and the Animal League rescues them from death. Each year, the out of state humane relocation program saves the lives of over 7,000 puppies and dogs nationally by transporting them to the safety of the Animal League. This is the largest humane relocation program in the country. In addition, over11,000 more homeless dogs, cats, puppies and kittens are saved through local and tri-state area rescue and adoption programs. The majority of the rescued animals come from overcrowded municipal animal shelters where they would not have had a chance for adoption.

A rescued animal can stay at the Animal League as long as it takes to find a loving home. Most of the animals are prepared for adoption within three or four days. They are groomed, medically examined, behaviorally evaluated, vaccinated and spayed or neutered prior to adoption. On average, most of the dogs and cats at the Animal League find loving homes within a week. This quick turn around time enables the Animal League to maximize the number of lives saved. There are special needs dogs, cats, puppies and kittens that may take months to find the right match.

How does the Animal League help other shelters during disaster situations?

A:

If there is an animal shelter that has been affected by a disaster like Hurricane Katrina, the Animal League will utilize its’ the mobile rescue/adoption units. When unexpected disaster strikes, many shelters are inundated with additional animals coming in as a result of the disaster. The Animal League provides transport to safety for displaced animals, emergency triage care, as well as humane relocation of animals to the Animal League shelter in New York.

North Shore Animal League America—the world's largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization—has saved the lives of over 1 million dogs, cats, puppies and kittens at risk of euthanasia. Through our many innovative programs, we reach across the country to rescue animals from overcrowded shelters, unwanted litters, puppy mills, natural disasters and other emergencies and find them permanent, loving homes. As a leader in the no-kill movement, we are dedicated to promoting shelter pet adoptions; encouraging spay/neuter programs; reducing animal cruelty; ending euthanasia; and advancing the highest standards in animal welfare. Please join us in saving the lives of innocent animals by donating to support our lifesaving mission.